Best Marble Sealer Comparison Chart

After some extensive research, I’ve put together the best marble sealer comparison chart to give you the important information you need to make a selection from top available sealers on the market today.

Because marble is a porous stone it needs to be sealed (if not already sealed) to minimize damage. Liquids like water and oil can soak into any marble surface given sufficient time.

Most liquids, if wiped up immediately, will not stain. It’s when liquids are left unattended they will find their way into the pores and imperfections on the surface.

One marble surface finish is more at risk than others for staining.  Highly polished marble is a little harder to penetrate than marble with a honed (matt) finish but in either finish, a high-quality impregnating sealer will provide benefit.

It’s important to note that even with an impregnating sealer, the penetration of some liquids will only be delayed and not prohibited –which is why regular maintenance is so important.

Best Marble Sealer Qualities

The best marble sealer is going have low or no VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and be environmentally-friendly. Since marble countertops grace many kitchens, the sealer will also be certified-safe for use where food is prepared. This means it is NSF/ANSI 51-2012 compliant.

It needs to have a solid, manufacturer-backed product warranty. It should also be non-staining and low odor, heat resistant, acid resistant and adhesion-tested.

One caveat with some higher-quality, higher priced sealers (with warranties over 10-years) is that they need to be applied by an authorized installer for the manufacturer to validate the warranty.

The product may be offered for purchase and self-application with a 5-year warranty but is available, if applied through a certified installer, with up to a 15-year residential warranty. This is an available option when considering sealers.

While sealers will be warranted by the manufacturer, when applied correctly, they will not guarantee protection against any etching or scratching of a marble surface. Etching or a scratched surface, if left unattended, may require buffing out the scratches as a first step or completely refinishing the top of the marble’s surface. This usually requires the services of a professional an can be costly to complete — not to mention the inconvenience of not using that surface until work has been completed.

Here’s how the top consumer-rated sealers meet the standard for the best marble sealer:

Included in the matrix are 8 columns:

• Sealant Photos
• Brand Product Name
• Sealer Type
• Application Type
• Safe for Use Around Food
• Low Odor / Volatile Organic Compounds
• Warranty
• Cost / Rating

Cost Legend Assuming Quart Size

• $$=$20 or less
• $$$=$21 to $49
• $$$$=over $50

Best Marble Sealer Comparison Chart

	PRODUCT NAME	SEALER TYPE	APPLICATION	FOOD SAFE	LOW VOC	WARRANTY	COST / RATING
	DuPont Premium Stone Sealer - DuPont website	Water-based Impregnating Low odor	Paint roller or brush	YES	YES	5 YEARS	$$$ / 4.5
	DuPont Stone Sealer	Water-based Impregnating Low odor	Paint roller or brush	NO Bathrooms & Floors	NO	2 YEARS	$$ / 4.2
	DuPont StoneTech Professional Bulletproof Expanded Warranty Option	Water-based Impregnating Certified Installer Applied	Certified Installer Applied	N/A	N/A	15-YEAR Residential 8-YEAR Commercial	$$$$
	MB-4 MB Stone Care Marble Sealer	Water-based	Paint roller or brush	YES	NO	10-YEAR	$$$ / 4.7
	DuPont StoneTech Bulletproof Sealer	Water-based Impregnating	Paint roller or brush	YES	NO	5-YEAR	$$$ / 4.9
	Miracle Sealants 511 Impregnator For Polished Marble	Water-based Impregating Polished Surfaces	Paint brush	YES	YES	Up to 20-YEARS for defective sealer only	$$$ / 4.0
	Miracle Sealants Porous Plus For Honed Marble	Water-based Impregnating Honed Surfaces	Paint brush	YES	YES	Up to 20-YEARS for defective sealer only	$$$$ / 4.9

Tips for Using an Impregnating Sealer

• Impregnating sealers WILL NOT prevent stains. They simply slow down the rate at which the stone absorbs liquids or oils. This gives you more time to clean them before they do damage.
• Marble, if not previously sealed, whether polished or honed will soak up sealer like a sponge. It will take multiple applications to achieve maximum sealing potential. Following the manufacturer’s recommendations for “dry time” between applications is critical for success.
• Most impregnating sealers claim not to darken or change the marble color when applied. It’s always better to test an area and let the sealer dry thoroughly to validate the claim before using the sealer on your entire surface.
• Topical spray-on sealers will help in maintaining marble but will not provide the saturation your marble needs from an impregnating sealer for optimum protection.
• An impregnating sealer will not protect against etching from glass rings or water surface stains.
• Using harsh surface cleaners will degrade an impregnating sealer and shorten its useful lifespan.
• Many sealer products with longer warranties — 15 years or above — require application by an certified professional for the warranty to be validated and can be very expensive.